Community foundations working for a better tomorrow

Rep. Terry Brown

Published 7:00 pm, Friday, January 1, 2010

In this new year I will enter uncharted territory as a father. My oldest child, Teresa, is graduating from college. As Teresa prepares to embark on the next stage of her life, the father in me cannot help but wonder what lies ahead for her.

With that all too familiar mix of pride and parental nervousness, I am gearing up to give her any support she may need. While I know deep down that she'll be just fine, I can't ignore the reality of these tough economic times and what impact they may have on her generation.

Michigan's struggles have been well documented, on the pages of this newspaper as well as by TV news and other media. And while I have worked in Lansing to create jobs and fight for priorities such as education, public safety and health care, the father in me worries about where the opportunities will be for my daughter and her fellow graduates.

As a lifelong Thumb area resident and graduate of local schools, I have seen countless friends and talented people - including some of our brightest students - forced to uproot in pursuit of opportunities not available here.

That's why I'm writing today, in support of two organizations that epitomize why the Thumb is a great place to live - and why I swell up with pride when I tell people in Lansing about back home. The Huron and Tuscola County Community Foundations both are committed to making a better future for our community. By supporting community wellness projects and education programs, as well as local students, they strengthen our community and create more recreational and cultural opportunities for our residents.

These foundations also step up to make contributions to charitable organizations to meet pressing needs, such as promoting health and fitness in our schools or providing funding for direct assistance for the homeless.

Whether it is through scholarships or grants fostering the arts, these foundations are improving our communities. They also are committed to protecting and securing a strong future for our communities by promoting economic development so our children can remain in or return to the Thumb if they choose to.

I encourage everyone to help these organizations when they can. What is great about helping these foundations, is that your donations of time or money will be investing directly into our community.

We all have something at stake in tomorrow. For me, I think about my three kids and want them to have the same, if not better, opportunities than I did. I want them to have the opportunity to live in the Thumb and enjoy a long, prosperous life in the community that has helped raise them. Organizations like the Huron and Tuscola County Community Foundations can help make these dreams a reality.

While I know I will never completely stop worrying about my kids, even after they grow up - I feel a whole lot better knowing organizations like the Huron and Tuscola County Community Foundations are working every day to improve our community and make our future brighter.